CVE-2017-6878 in MetInfo
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in MetInfo 5.3.15 allows remote authenticated users to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the name_2 parameter to admin/column/delete.php.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/22/2022
The CVE-2017-6878 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within MetInfo content management system version 5.3.15. This vulnerability exists in the administrative interface where the name_2 parameter in the admin/column/delete.php file fails to properly sanitize user input. The flaw allows authenticated attackers with administrative privileges to inject malicious scripts into the application's response, creating a persistent security risk that can be exploited to compromise user sessions and execute unauthorized actions within the context of the affected application.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and output encoding practices within the MetInfo application's administrative module. When administrators navigate to the column management section and interact with the delete functionality, the name_2 parameter is directly incorporated into the web response without proper sanitization or encoding. This failure to implement proper input validation aligns with CWE-79, which categorizes cross-site scripting vulnerabilities as a result of insufficient input validation or output encoding. The vulnerability specifically manifests when an attacker crafts malicious input containing script tags or other executable code within the name_2 parameter, which then gets executed in the browser of any user who views the affected page.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script injection, as it provides attackers with the ability to perform session hijacking, steal administrative credentials, and potentially escalate privileges within the CMS environment. An attacker with administrative access can leverage this vulnerability to inject malicious JavaScript that could redirect users to phishing sites, steal cookies, or even execute commands on the server if the application is configured with additional vulnerabilities. This makes the vulnerability particularly dangerous in environments where administrative users frequently access the CMS and where the application handles sensitive data or user information. The persistence of the vulnerability means that once exploited, malicious scripts can continue to execute whenever affected pages are loaded, creating a long-term security risk for the entire application.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-6878 should prioritize immediate application updates to the latest available version of MetInfo where the vulnerability has been patched. Organizations should implement proper input validation at multiple layers, including parameter validation in the admin/column/delete.php file and output encoding for all dynamic content. The principle of least privilege should be enforced by ensuring that administrative users only have access to necessary functions and that regular security audits are conducted on administrative interfaces. Additionally, implementing Content Security Policy headers can provide an additional layer of protection against XSS attacks by restricting the sources from which scripts can be loaded. This vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of secure coding practices and proper input sanitization in web applications, particularly in administrative interfaces where the potential for damage is significantly greater than in regular user-facing components. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this as a web application vulnerability exploitation technique, specifically under the 'Command and Control' and 'Credential Access' tactics where attackers can leverage such vulnerabilities to maintain persistent access to compromised systems.